SOCIAL WORK POLICY DEVELOPER: GRADE 1-2 (X3 POSTS)

This role offers an opportunity for experienced social work professionals to shape the policy landscape within the provincial Department of Social Development, based at the Provincial Office in Kimberley. Three distinct posts are available, each focused on a specific social work domain: services to older persons, social crime prevention, and substance abuse. As a Social Work Policy Developer, the incumbent occupies a senior specialist position graded according to the Occupation Specific Dispensation, and is expected to provide strategic leadership in developing, reviewing, and maintaining social work policies and programmes that respond to current legislative and societal demands.

Applicants must hold a Senior Certificate or Grade 12, coupled with a formal tertiary qualification in Social Work, such as a Bachelor of Social Work, or another equivalent qualification recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority that allows registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions. Current, valid registration with the SACSSP is non-negotiable, and candidates must have accumulated at least eight years of appropriate experience in social work after their initial registration. A valid motor vehicle driver’s licence is also required, although an exception is made for persons with disabilities. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a broad range of competencies, including strong communication and report-writing abilities, facilitation, coordination, and liaison skills, as well as networking, interpersonal, leadership, analytical, and diplomatic attributes. Additional expectations include change and knowledge management, planning and organisation, people and financial management, problem-solving, time management, strategic planning, and, crucially, policy analysis and development.

The core duties involve the full cycle of policy work: developing, implementing, and maintaining social work policies; monitoring, interpreting, and reviewing legislation and procedures to assess their ongoing relevance and compliance; and proposing amendments to existing acts, policies, and procedures while developing new ones where gaps are identified. This includes costing policy proposals and designing programmes that give practical effect to the adopted policies. The role requires keeping abreast of new developments in the social work field through professional journals and publications, continuously monitoring the social services legal and policy framework, and liaising with other government departments, non-governmental institutions, and relevant stakeholders to stay informed of the latest trends. The incumbent must also engage in prescribed continuous professional development activities, undertake research and development tasks, and perform the necessary administrative functions to support the unit’s operations.

The Department places a strong emphasis on integrity and suitability. All shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise testing relevant technical elements and an integrity or ethical conduct assessment, both of which will be scored as part of the interview process. Candidates must also undergo a personnel suitability check covering criminal records, citizenship, qualifications, and previous employment, as well as security clearance. Successful appointees will serve a probation period of twelve months. It is the applicant’s responsibility to have foreign qualifications evaluated by SAQA, and shortlisted candidates will need to submit certified copies of documents before or on the day of the interview, including proof of SACSSP registration and certificates of service. Misrepresentation in application documents leads to automatic disqualification, and the Department reserves the right not to fill the posts. Interviews will be conducted at the Provincial Office in Kimberley, and due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted; applicants who have not received feedback within three months after the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.